Media Contact: Susan Cipollaro, scipollaro@fairfield.edu , 203-254-4000 ext. 2726

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 1, 2018) – National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas will underscore The Need for Literature in Politically Challenging Times during an inspirational and informative lecture at Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business Dining Room on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Lucas will reflect upon the invaluable role that literature has played during times of political disquiet, and discuss how literature has fostered dialogue, empathy, and social change. She will also address the role that the global community of readers can play in cultivating an inclusive vision for the future.

In preparation of Lucas’ visit, Fairfield professors have been integrating the focus of her lecture into their coursework by assigning students select readings from the National Book Foundation’s 2017 National Book Award winners. Excerpts were taken from a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young people’s literature. The readings were selected to inspire students to think about how literature gives voice to unrepresented groups that often go unheard.

"Lisa Lucas's visit to Fairfield County will play an important role in building momentum around the state of the arts in our region and galvanize a conversation about how we can move forward while capitalizing on the wealth of talent and vision in our area," said Sonya Huber, MFA, associate English professor and director of the Fairfield University’s MFA in Creative Writing program.

Lucas is the first African-American to head the National Book Foundation and only the third executive director in the organization’s history. She is an advocate for diversity in publishing, and previously worked as the publisher of Guernica , an arts magazine with an international and often political focus.

Lucas’ appearance at Fairfield University is co-sponsored by the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences; Connecticut Center for the Book; the Connecticut Writing Project; the DiMenna-Nyselius Library; the Humanities Institute of the College of Arts and Sciences; the Departments of English, Politics, and Philosophy; Core Writing; the Center for Faith and Public Life; the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program; and the Offices of Student Engagement and Residence Life.

Posted On: 03-01-2018 11:03 AM

Volume: 50 Number: 112

Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic university rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe are pursuing degrees in the University’s five schools. Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values. The University is located on a stunning 200- acre campus on the scenic Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.